J6 Prisoner Reveals What Ray Epps Whispered Before Capitol Breach

Ray Epps remains one of the most mysterious figures from the January 6th events at the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the lack of interest in prosecuting him by the Department of Justice (DOJ) have left many questions unanswered. While the DOJ has aggressively pursued and charged hundreds of individuals who were present that day, Epps has largely avoided the legal repercussions faced by others.

James Grant, a January 6th participant, recently came forward with new allegations about Ray Epps. Grant claims to have witnessed a crucial moment just before the first breach of the Capitol barricades.

Grant shed light on what Epps whispered to another protester, Ryan Samsel, moments before the bike racks were pushed over—an act that marked the beginning of the Capitol breach.

Epps, an Arizona resident and former president of the Arizona chapter of the Oath Keepers, was once listed as suspect #16 on the FBI’s January 6th Most Wanted list. However, his name and image mysteriously disappeared from the list overnight, sparking controversy and speculation.

Many wondered why a man who was so visibly active on January 6th, encouraging protesters to enter the Capitol, was not facing the same charges as others. Epps was finally charged in September 2023, but only with a minor offense: “Disorderly or Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds.” He was sentenced to just one year of probation—a punishment many believe is laughably lenient given his role that day.

James Grant’s story adds a new layer to the Epps mystery. Before January 6th, Grant was a promising law student, fresh from graduating with honors from North Carolina State University and set to attend the University of Alabama on a scholarship. After the Capitol events, however, his life was turned upside down.

Grant was charged as a co-defendant of Ryan Samsel, despite having no prior connection to him. Grant ultimately served over 32 months in federal prison after being convicted on multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon. The “weapon” in question was the bike rack that Samsel and others pushed into police officers.

According to Grant, the story being told by media outlets like The New York Times is inaccurate. Samsel had previously told the FBI in January 2022 that when Epps whispered in his ear, he said, “Relax, the cops are just doing their job.” However, Grant’s memory of the incident and video evidence suggest something entirely different. Grant insists that Epps whispered, “We need more people,” not a calming message about the police.

Epps’ suspicious behavior wasn’t limited to January 6th. The day before, on January 5th, he was captured on video encouraging people to “storm the Capitol” and later urging a crowd to “go into the Capitol.” His actions were so blatant that other protesters began to chant “Fed, Fed, Fed” at him, suspecting that Epps might be a government informant or provocateur. Despite these alarming statements, Epps avoided immediate scrutiny and was not charged until much later.

On January 6th, Epps was recorded multiple times giving directions to the crowd, pointing toward the Capitol, and telling others that “our problems are in that direction.” He was also seen whispering in Samsel’s ear moments before the bike racks were breached. While much of this behavior has been downplayed, James Grant’s testimony and video footage challenge the narrative that Epps was simply trying to calm things down.

The DOJ’s treatment of Epps stands in stark contrast to its treatment of other January 6th participants. People like the “Praying Grandma” Rebecca Lavrenz and Jalise Middleton, a middle-aged woman with mobility issues, have faced harsh legal consequences for their actions that day. Others, such as security guard James Grant, were subjected to long prison sentences despite their lesser involvement in violent acts. Epps, on the other hand, was involved in key moments of the breach but was given what many see as a slap on the wrist.

Grant’s revelation about what Epps whispered could fuel further calls for transparency and accountability regarding Epps’ role. It raises the question of whether Epps was a provocateur or acting on behalf of some other entity during the Capitol riot. Former FBI Assistant Director of Counter-Terrorism, Jill Sanborn, famously refused to answer Senator Ted Cruz’s questions about Epps and whether he was a federal asset during a Senate hearing.

The story of Ray Epps remains murky, but James Grant’s new testimony adds another intriguing piece to the puzzle. As more details emerge, the true nature of Epps’ involvement in January 6th—and why he has faced so few consequences compared to others—could eventually come to light. For now, the whispers before the breach continue to fuel speculation and controversy.